The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-02-09

the rapid depression of our securities,
and, of course, my journey to London was
fruitsess. Matters remained quiet until
Gen. Rice, of the Fort Scott road, had his
attention called to Natchez as proper
place to cross the Mississippi, when the
people of Franklin, in their eagerness to
be relieved of their Imprisonment, voted
the tax asked for by Gen. Rice. Now that
their own project comes before them in
the present Louisiana, Arkansas aud Mis-
souri, Railroad, is it too much to suppose
that it's request for aid will pass un-
heeded7
Reporter-But can the people of that
Parish stand an additional five mill tax 7
Judge Hoyt-I say unhesitatingly, yes.
I have talked with some Of the owners Of
large bodies of land in that Parish, and
they say that they will vote for the
granting of that tax to us; let me show
you why. The Fort Scott road will take
all of their cotton, lumber and other pro-
duets either to New Orleans or to Kansas.
While our line is more democratic, it will
serve the people more faithfully. You
know the more markets you have for your
products the better prices you can obtain
and the greater facilities you have for
disposing of those products. Now orr
line crosses and interscets with twelve
different lines in the short distance of 260
miles between Alexandria and Brinkley.
At Alexandria with the Texas and Pacific
and the Southern Pacific (Morgan's Lou
isiana and Texas) going to New Orleans !;
at Delhi with the Vicksburg, Shreveport
and Pacific, going to Vicksburg and
points east and west at Tillar with the
Little Rock, Mississippi River and Texas
Railroad, going to Arkansas City on the
east, and Pine Bluff, Little Rock and 9th
er western and northern cities in Arkan-
sas, Missouri and Kansas; at Pine City
with the Arkansas Midland, going to Hell
ena and points east at Brinklcy with the
Memphis and Little Rock, going to Mem
phis; with the Brinkley and Helena, go
ing to Helena; with the st. Louis, Ar
kansas and Texas, going to st. Louis and
Chicago by way of Cairo; and with the
Batesville and Brinkley, going to New
port, where connection is made with the
Iron Mountain for st. Louis direct. This
makes the actual running lines. Now If
the Fort Scott road is completed it will
cross our line On Col. Bryan's plantation
at Oakley, so that we get direct connec-
ton with New Orleans on the south, and
the great northwest on the north. This
makes eleven lines; the twelfth is the
Natchez, Red River and Texas Railroad,
now completed to Trinity, and which will
probably be extended to Harrisonburg;
when we reach that poini that makes
your twelfth.
Reporter-What other argument have
you for those who still incline against
you7
Judge Hoyt-There are many, but ]
will only say that it is time the people Of
this section of our broad country, possess
ing as they do the finest farming lands in
the world, should get out of the ruts in
which they have been travelling for years
and ride in the coach of progress. The
building of this road will open to capital
lists the magnificent forest of long leaf
pine in Catahoula, Grant and VIM Par.
isles; it will increase the valuation Of
farms in Franklin, Richland and Carroll
Parishes 200 per cent it will bring into
market again plantations with commodi.
Gus mansions, cabins and other houses
which before this war were readily bought
and sold at 500 per acre, but which now
go begging for purchasers at from S. t.
500 per acre; it will bring into and along
the country to be served by the road {
white population of small farmers, ener
getic and thrifty, who will make deser1
wastes bloom; it will bring to the prescn
taxpayers others who will aid in the pay
ment Of those taxes now deemed so high
it will bring Northern capital into bette
acquaintance with the people who neet
that capital. I personally know of
cattle company to be formed in Franklin
Parish with capital of 81, 100000 if tn
road traverses that Parish if it does no
some other equally favorable point will
have the company located ON their land
Another item which the people of tina
Parish, and l may say the same of Rich
laud (although many in the last nance
Parish have personally assured me the,
would vote an additional tax for us,
ought to consider is that the greater part
if not the whole of this FIVE mill tax viii
be annually returned to them in the take
paid by the Company on their roadbed
depot buildings, ETC., so that in realit
tho Parish is paying our tax for the bene
fit to be gained to its inhabitants becaus
of our coming there. Is this five mill ia:
too much to ask under these circum
stances
Rcporter-Could You assure the peopl
} that your Company would aid them, wit
, the government, to protect the levees
Judge Hoyt-1 am glad yon mentione
the levees. The road is bound NATURAL
, to protect itself. Every member of til
syndicate, and they are many, will use a
the inHnnn go fhau nnssars with THAR En-,